Wednesday August 27th 2025
Arniston Rangers 2013's
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Arniston Rangers FC, in Gorebridge, are experiencing the largest number of players in their six year history with over 450 children playing for the club.
Prioritsing community, Arniston Rangers have grown their 2013 year group to three squads, the first time having three teams in their history. Despite issues surrounding training grounds in winter and sponsorship, this growth of their 2013 age group to three squads of 11 has provided a crucial service to around 50 children.
Club chairman and head coach of Arniston Rangers 2013’s Gary McCardle, explained, “At one age group [2013’s] we have around 50 boys. So many teams fold before they get to 11’s. We have players that have left over the years, that always happens, but we still have enough for three squads. Started six years ago wih around 12 kids. Every year we pretty much lose one or two and gain around six or seven. Slowly building each year to these 3 squads.”
Providing the cheapest youth football in Midlothian, Gary and his team of coaches prioritise the children over costs, creating a vital community hub. Arniston Rangers youth is one of the services at the heart of Gorebridge, providing football to many boys and girls in the area.
Making sure to create a sense of community Gary explained that his team is very important to all the children that participate.
“Gorebridge has a great community feel and I believe Arniston Rangers Youth is at the heart of that. Teach them young to be proud of their community and give them a sense of worth, and they’ll reward you with being a community asset in the future.”
One of the things Gary and his coaches do to give back to the community is if parents can’t afford to pay for the football, they will still let the child play. This creates a sense of community and provides sports to children in families that can’t afford extra curricular activities, despite causing issues with the teams funding and finances.
Asking Gary why they do this despite risks to the team’s funding, he explained, “We’ve all either seen it, or been it. The child doesn’t come because the parents can’t afford it. The mum that chooses between food or extra curricular, not here.”
Arniston Rangers youth charge £20 up to 12 years old, then £25 for children older 12, a month. That includes two training sessions a week and matches at the weekend, alongside a free training kit and match kits. These charges are usually subsidised by sponsorship with the team being supported by Gorefry Takeaway and Peter Joyce Development.
“Without our sponsors, Gorefry Takeaway and Peter Joyce Development, we would have to charge everyone more money to be sustainable” Gary explained, “If we charge more we could lose 30-40% of our players. I actually don’t think they realise how important they are. They just want to give back to the community.”
Despite this crucial support, the club has been dealing with issues surrounding finding another sponsor for their 3rd team. Without this additional support from a local business, the club has been finding it challenging to fund the childrens football despite paying if a childs parent cannot afford the monthly payment.
Gary explained this causes financial issues alongside issues surrounding the morale of the children, with having a sponsor on their kits allowing the children to think ‘someone believes in them’.
With wintertime fast approaching, the only problem that comes with the success of the growth in team numbers is the lack of facilities in the colder months. Due to Gorebridge not having a full size astro turf pitch, the club has had to utilise pitches outside of their area.
“If we were to train what we wanted, one and half hours twice a week, my 2013s would monopolise our 6 a side astro on a Monday and Wednesday. We unfortunately have another 4 age groups that also train on those days. Same on the other days. We have a few slots at our catchment astro at Newbattle high school, but not enough slots as it’s given to teams from bonnyrigg and dalkeith.”
“It leaves us, Easthouses and Newtongrange fighting for slots in our catchment. Even though these other teams have an abundance, in comparison, in their own catchment.”
Arniston Rangers youth provide a vital community asset, providing children with sport, no matter the cost, and a sense of belonging. With sponsorship from local businesses and support from the wider community, the football club is an essential and beloved team in the area. With the growth of their 2013 age group, this goes to show the importance of the club.
Tweet Share on Facebook
